I've been rebuilding the the motor on my snowmobile. The only part of the process I dread is dealing with old gaskets. After 18 years of use the gaskets on this motor were totally baked on. Common advice is to carefully use a razor blade to remove the old gasket material. But, under the gaskets is soft aluminum. If you knick the aluminum while you're getting the gasket off you will create a surface that the new gasket will have a hard time sealing. I have never removed a gasket without knicking the surface. Some people reccomend a tool like a scouring pad (by hand or on a rotary tool). But, this will fling gasket material and little metal shards from the scouring pad all over the motor. Possibly into the crank of the motor where the debris will wreak havoc on all of the spinning parts.

After desperately searching I came across a tool that has revolutionized the process for me. A carbide scraper. The always reliable mechanic porn site Garage Journal is what tipped me off to this tool. I want to buy an alphorn and yell about carbide scrapers from the mountaintops. They are amazing! It is shocking to me that any other tool is ever reccomended.

The scraper has a perfectly flat blade that doesn't nick the surface. You hardly need to apply any pressure and the gasket is easily scraped away.

I bought the cheapo version of the tool from O'reily. Next time I'll buy the USA made Super Scraper. But, if you're in a time crunch like I was the Titan scraper works wonders.

The tool worked so well I spent the afternoon going over every gasket surface I could find. If you ever find yourself removing gaskets (or I'm guessing many other stuck on substances) don't even think about reaching for a razor blade. Do yourself a favor and get a carbide scraper.